The Magical Martin and Mags

The very first week I arrived in Cork I got this semi-sketchy Facebook message from a woman named Mags. She said that she was a dance teacher at UCC and that I should come to a traditional music session at Blarney. Now in my head, Blarney had one thing, a famous castle with one famous stone. I knew that I had kissed the Blarney stone when I was younger but was amazed that I could casually go to this town for more than that single reason. Not wanting to walk into an unpredictable situation alone I invited everyone that I knew at that point. Mags said that her friend, Martin, would pick us up in his taxi and take us to Blarney where we could see the castle, kiss the stone, and have dinner and music after.

The first time was a bit dodgy. Everybody seemed nice but we were all nervously skeptical and confused. And I had been the one to suggest it in the first place. But, over the following 12 weeks Blarney became my home away from home. I think that I missed a total of two Tuesdays during the whole semester but was there every other time. I enrolled in Mags’ dance class and discovered my love for Irish dance, which I would then practice at the music nights. I brought friends to these sessions and my friends brought their families as a way to explore some local culture.

Mags and Martin will forever be my lifelong friends and I will miss them very much. I always sat in the front of Martin’s taxi and from talking to him gained invaluable wisdom. He is so kind to everyone that goes to Blarney and was happy to see us every time. I never saw Martin in a bad mood and even if I was having a rough day, Martin’s “I am wonderful” attitude would always brighten my day.  Mags, on the other hand, became like the sister that I never had. She is the most talented dancing-fiddler and I am constantly in awe of her talent and grace. They also have a wonderful relationship with each other and even if it’s a student’s first visit to Blarney they feel as if they have been attending for years.

I will truly miss these Tuesday adventures and cherish the wonderful memories with Martin and Mags. What they do for stray international students is amazing and greatly appreciated by every student that comes. 

The Opinionated Lassie